Head for an oral-care implement and a kit comprising such head

Abstract

A head for an oral-care implement, having an elongated mounting surface with an outer circumference, includes two outer rows of tufts extending from the mounting surface along the longitudinal axis in proximity to the outer circumference, and two inner rows of tufts extending from the mounting surface and arranged between and parallel to the outer rows. The tufts of the outer rows have a longitudinal extension and an elongated cross-sectional area perpendicular thereto. The elongated cross-sectional area has a longer axis and a shorter axis, wherein the longer axis defines an angle α of about 20-65 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. The tufts of the outer rows are inclined relative to the mounting surface by an inclination angle (β) of about 65-80 degrees. The tufts of the inner rows are inclined relative to the mounting surface by an inclination angle (γ) of about 60-85 degrees.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A head ( 14 ) for an oral-care implement ( 10 ), the head ( 14 ) comprising an elongated mounting surface ( 26 ) having an outer circumference ( 28 ), a longitudinal axis ( 30 ) extending between a proximal end ( 22 ) structured and configured to be removably attached to a handle ( 12 ), and a distal end ( 24 ) opposite to the proximal end ( 22 ), the head ( 14 ) comprising:
 two outer rows of tufts ( 32 ,  34 ) extending from the mounting surface ( 26 ) along the longitudinal axis ( 30 ) in proximity to the outer circumference ( 28 ), and 
 two inner rows of tufts ( 36 ,  38 ) extending from the mounting surface ( 26 ) and arranged between and substantially parallel to the outer rows ( 32 ,  34 ), wherein 
 the tufts of the outer rows ( 32 ,  34 ) have a longitudinal extension ( 44 ) and an elongated cross-sectional area ( 46 ) extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension ( 44 ), the elongated cross-sectional area ( 46 ) having a longer axis ( 48 ) and a shorter axis ( 50 ), wherein 
 the longer axis ( 48 ) defines an angle (α) of from about 20° to about 65° with respect to the longitudinal axis ( 30 ) of the head ( 14 ), and 
 the tufts of the outer rows ( 32 ,  34 ) are inclined with respect to the mounting surface ( 26 ) by an inclination angle (β) from about 65° to about 80°, and 
 the tufts of the inner rows ( 36 ,  38 ) are inclined with respect to the mounting surface ( 26 ) by an inclination angle (γ) from about 60° to about 85°. 
 
     
     
       2. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the tufts of the inner rows ( 36 ,  38 ) have a longitudinal extension and an elongated cross-sectional area ( 54 ) extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the elongated cross-sectional area ( 54 ) having a longer axis ( 56 ) and a shorter axis ( 58 ), wherein the longer axis ( 56 ) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ( 30 ) of the head ( 14 ). 
     
     
       3. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the tufts of the inner rows ( 36 ,  38 ) are inclined in a direction opposite to an inclination direction of the tufts of the outer rows ( 32 ,  34 ). 
     
     
       4. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the head ( 14 ) further comprises an arc-shaped toe ( 42 ) disposed at the distal end ( 24 ) and composed of filaments or a plurality of tufts of filaments arranged in an arc-shaped manner, so that the tufts of the outer rows ( 36 ,  38 ) and the arc-shaped toe ( 42 ) define an outer arc-shaped envelope ( 52 ). 
     
     
       5. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 4 , wherein at least some of the tufts of the outer rows ( 32 ,  34 ) and the arc shaped toe ( 42 ) are inclined in a direction towards the distal end ( 24 ). 
     
     
       6. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 4 , wherein the arc-shaped toe ( 42 ) is composed of filaments having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       7. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the outer rows of tufts ( 32 ,  34 ) are composed of filaments having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and the inner rows of tufts ( 36 ,  38 ) are composed of filaments having a cross-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       8. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the the tufts of the inner rows ( 36 ,  38 ) have a higher stiffness than the tufts of the outer rows ( 32 ,  34 ) do. 
     
     
       9. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the head ( 14 ) further comprises a middle row of tufts ( 40 ) extending from the mounting surface ( 26 ) and arranged as a center row substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ( 30 ) of the head ( 14 ) and between the two inner rows of tufts ( 36 ,  38 ). 
     
     
       10. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the tufts of the middle row ( 40 ) have a longitudinal extension and an elongated cross-sectional area ( 54 ) extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the elongated cross-sectional area ( 54 ) having a longer axis ( 56 ) and a shorter axis ( 58 ), wherein the longer axis ( 56 ) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ( 30 ) of the head ( 14 ). 
     
     
       11. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the tufts of the middle row ( 40 ) have a higher stiffness than the tufts of the inner rows ( 36 ,  38 ) do. 
     
     
       12. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the tufts of the middle row ( 40 ) is composed of filaments having a cross-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       13. The head ( 14 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the tufts are attached to the head ( 14 ) by a hot-tufting process. 
     
     
       14. The head of  claim 1 , wherein the angle (α) is from about 30° to about 50°. 
     
     
       15. The head of  claim 1 , wherein the angle (α) is about 45°. 
     
     
       16. The head of  claim 1 , wherein the inclination angle (β) is from about 70° to about 80°. 
     
     
       17. The head of  claim 1 , wherein the inclination angle (β) is from about 74° to about 78°. 
     
     
       18. The head of  claim 1 , wherein the inclination angle (γ) is from about 70° to about 80°. 
     
     
       19. A kit ( 10 ) comprising a handle ( 12 ) and a head ( 14 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the head ( 14 ) is permanently attached or removably attachable to the handle ( 12 ). 
     
     
       20. The kit ( 10 ) of  claim 19 , wherein the head ( 14 ) is at least partially made from at least one of a non-magnetic material and a non-ferromagnetic material, and the handle ( 12 ) is at least partially made from at least one of a non-magnetic material and a non-ferromagnetic material.